Salida, lawyer settle free speech suit for $43,000

Lawyer Daniel Zettler says that during a boat race in 2011 in Salida, he shouted to a man who was being detained by officers, "Don't forget your constitutional right to remain silent."

Zettler says one officer arrested him on a charge of obstructing a police officer. The Salida Municipal Court later dismissed the charge. Zettler had argued he had a First Amendment right to advise the detained man.

Zettler's attorney David Lane says the settlement money was paid Wednesday. Settlement documents indicate $17,350 of the amount went to Zettler's attorneys.